Understanding Overdraft Protection & Services

Imagine you’re at the checkout line, ready to pay, and your debit card is suddenly declined due to insufficient funds. It’s stressful, inconvenient, and sometimes embarrassing. Fortunately, BluCurrent offers options to help you avoid these situations — Overdraft Protection and Overdraft Services. While the names sound similar, they work very differently. Let’s break it down.

What is Overdraft?

An overdraft occurs when your account doesn’t have enough money to cover a transaction, but the transaction is still authorized. Instead of being declined, the payment goes through, and a fee is charged to your account.

What Is Overdraft Protection?

Overdraft Protection links your checking account to another account or line of credit at BluCurrent. If your checking account doesn’t have enough money to cover a transaction, funds are automatically pulled from your linked account to cover the difference.

Key features of Overdraft Protection:

• Funds are transferred automatically from your linked savings account or Credit Card.
• Helps you avoid declined transactions at checkout or at the ATM.
• A fee does apply, but it is significantly less than Standard Overdraft Services. You can see all current applicable fees here.
• Available only on qualified accounts.

This option works best if you already keep funds in a savings account or have a BluCurrent Credit Card available.

Contact BluCurrent to turn Overdraft Protection on in your account. Call us at 417-887-1983, visit us in branch (click here to see locations), contact us via Secured Video Call, or send us a secure message in online/mobile banking!

What Are Overdraft Services?

Overdraft Services work differently. Instead of pulling from another account, BluCurrent may cover your transaction at its discretion — even when you don’t have enough money in your checking account.

How it works:

• Qualified checking accounts automatically receive standard Overdraft Services after 60 days from opening. These cover checks, ACH transactions, recurring payments, and similar items.
• You can also choose to “opt in” for optional coverage of ATM withdrawals and everyday debit card purchases.
• A fee applies each time we pay an overdraft. You can see all current applicable fees here.
• Coverage is not guaranteed, as transactions are paid at BluCurrent’s discretion.

Overdraft Services provides a safety net when funds are short, but it’s important to remember that fees can add up if used frequently.

If you wish to "opt in" to optional overdraft services on your account, please visit BluCurrent.org/ODS. You can also contact BluCurrent at 417-887-1983, visit us in branch (click here to see locations), contact us via Secured Video Call, or send us a secure message in online/mobile banking!

Can I have Both Overdraft Protection and Overdraft Services?

Yes! You can opt into both Overdraft Protection and optional overdraft services.

Here’s how it works:

• If funds are available in your linked account, Overdraft Protection will transfer the money (with a lower transfer fee).
• If linked funds aren’t available, the account will default to Overdraft Services, which may pay the overdraft for a separate fee.

Tips to Avoid Overdrafts Altogether

• Regularly check your available balance through online or mobile banking.
• Set up balance alerts to get notified when funds are running low.
• Keep a cushion of extra funds in your account to cover pending transactions.

BluCurrent Has You Covered

At BluCurrent Credit Union, we offer both Overdraft Protection and Standard Overdraft Services to help you manage your finances with confidence. Whether you prefer linking your accounts or having a backup safety net, we’re here to keep you moving forward.

Blucurrent reserves the right to pay overdrafts at its discretion on a case-by-case basis, which means BluCurrent does not guarantee or warrant that it will always authorize and pay any type of transaction. If BluCurrent does not authorize and pay an overdraft, your transaction will be declined.

Money Market accounts are not eligible for Overdraft Protection or Overdraft Services.